The flight of the first Slovak F-16 Block 70 took place on September 29 at 9:30 a.m. EST at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Greenville, South Carolina, with test pilot Ryan ‘Cujo’ Blake successfully conducting multiple system tests to validate performance and supersonic capabilities during flight.
Slovakia will be the first European country to receive the F-16 Block 70.
“The Slovak Air Force is taking significant steps forward with the capabilities of the F-16,” said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Integrated Fighter Group, Lockheed Martin. “The integration of this proven platform will allow the Slovak Air Force to effectively safeguard its borders and partner with allies across Europe, NATO and the world.”
This F-16 is the first of 14 to be delivered to Slovakia. The country signed its Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for 14 F-16s in December 2018.
See also: Roll out of the first F-16 Block 70 for Slovakia
“The F-16 Block 70 offers allies and partners advanced 21st Century Security capabilities, affordable operating and lifecycle costs, and strategic partnership opportunities,” added Sanchez. “It’s a state-of-the-art fighter aircraft system that our Greenville, South Carolina, team is proud to build. The production line in Greenville is a national security asset, providing F-16 fighter capabilities to allies around the world, like Slovakia, who will rely on this platform for peacekeeping within their own borders and those of their partners.”
Six countries have already selected Block 70/72 aircraft for their Air Forces. In addition to the current official order book of 126 aircraft, Jordan signed an LOA for 12 aircraft last year and Bulgaria signed an LOA for another eight aircraft. Once finalized, the order backlog will increase to 146 F-16 Block 70/72.
